Does anyone get overwhelmed with things to do/options for Christmas?

[Viv0321]

Does anyone get overwhelmed with things to do for Christmas?

Places to go, things to buy? How do you make the right decisions with so many different options?

Anyone?

I probably could and I know what you mean but I know I'd get completely overwhelmed so just keep it really simple.

I do a few nice things but don't go overboard.
Kids usually get a low keyish santa visit and we do a day out in town to see the lights and go for dinner (probably not this year)

I'm make a list for the kids and don't go overboard. I try and get most online as I can shop about for deals from the sofa.

What is it you are struggling with the most? If you've started early you should be fine.

I try not to. I try to focus on the things that I love doing - for me that’s making Christmas foods and playing Christmas music. And then I figure the rest falls into place.

Not this year. There doesn’t seem to be that many options!

Havent started shopping yet and there are still a lot of Xmas evens despite covid!

What sort of decisions are stressing you out?

Everything lol

It’s that moment when I feel like I’m talking to a child and have to say “use your words”.

Nope. Never have that feeling as i only buy for my kids. No one else.

My friend buys for all nieces and nephews, gets stressed about it, even buying for their kids once they arrive. FFS stop!

Is this about presents/what to cook or who to spend Xmas with?

No never - I just focus on what is important to my family and myself, present buying is kept to an absolute minimum, no one goes crazy or spends too much; I've always worked in either retail or hospitality so have very little time off - that genuinely doesn't bother me at all , and what sort of events are you planning to attend this year? I don't understand how you can make any firm plans .

Are you feeling generally overwhelmed? Pick one small thing to do (doesn't have to be important, just easily achievable) and do it. Completing it will spur you on to do the next task, and soon the blocked feeling will go. At that point you can start planning, with lists.

Nope.
Not a huge theatre/panto fan, so never both with that.
The Christmas Market where I live is packed and a haven for pick pocketers. So give that one a miss.
Shopping is done largely online except for a couple is trips to specific places in the run up.
I do like a garden centre at Christmas. So I go to one or two.
I do like foggy, crispy walks in the woods, so we do that.
I do like Christmas jigsaws. So I buy one.
I do like our Christmas day afternoon tea and actual Christmas Dinner on the Sunday after Christmas, so we do that.
I do like decorating the house. So I go to town on it.

So basically, just decide what you like and make it part of your Christmas plans!

Like the theatre? Go! Like ice skating? Go! Etc.

Me. I'm always overwhelmed. Hope to have a simplified Christmas this year.

No because I have family who don't care much about presents and wouldn't be bothered if I have them a pair of sock or a diamond necklace.) The DC are bothered though, so I try to get that right. But I have been known to blame Father Christmas when Amazon got it wrong. It's only one day and there will be another one next year.

I have a format which I follow, so unless I'm free, new events can't be added in. it avoids dilemmas.

No. There's normally a fancy lights thing at a local EH place that we go to but otherwise, skintness dictates that we can only do free things such as visiting the free Santa in the nearby shopping centre and going to sew the lights and displays at the garden centres. Just because it's available doesn't mean you have to do or buy it all. Christmas is meant to be fun but so many people seem determined to turn it into a big stress-fest.

If you are stressed about it, cut down the options to what you can reasonably do. Even if that means not seeing people in person you usually would. It’s difficult not knowing what we can do by Christmas, worst case scenario is nuclear families in their own home. Kids will be happy with their presents. When I was a kid, my dad pretty much had to work at least part of a Christmas Day (nursing) so it was just presents, church, roast lunch and Christmas TV. We had a trip to London before Christmas, and I may have been to see a Santa in a departments store, but the rest was just school play and carol concert.

I think you have to only do what you can cope with. As long as everyone has some presents, and food, and you’ve put up some decorations everything else is a bonus.

Or do you mean things to do as in prepare for the day? It's just a glorified Sunday roast with a few extras. Do you need much more? A few crackers, some booze, Christmas songs on the radio, a board game or two and then the meal. It really shouldn't be stressful.

Surely everyone who is joining you contributes something rather than leaving it all to you? Even if it's just you, your dh/p if you have one and dc if you have any - they should all do their bit in one way or another.

I find it stressful waiting for deliveries to arrive. I would much prefer to shop in person, but that's not really an option right now. Also worrying is that everyone will have a good time. Plus the budgeting. I have 5 kids to buy for at home plus DH, and even without being extravagant, it's a lot of money that could be spent on things we actually need.
That said, I do keep it simple. I like decorating and dinner is pretty straightforward. We don't travel at Christmas, which is something I insisted on from when my DC were little. I guess you have to decide what's most important to you and just do that.

Thanks everyone. I think it’s budgeting and getting/doing the right things for dc at Xmas before they grow up

Aww, in my childhood days it was just having Xmas decs up and some lights, Xmas eve stockings and shiny presents under a pine tree.

And the cooking rituals.

There's nothing wrong with scaling back a little, nowadays I make a shortlist of who to buy for and only if it's something they'd like or need.

Write out a list of who you'd like to buy for and the budget. Do you want to do Xmas activities with the children?

It makes you realise that despite COVID we're still lucky to have a day to keep warm all together indoors and have loads of nice food on hand.

Thanks

Think about what you and your kids will enjoy and do some of that. Keep away from Facebook/Instagram because you’ll just feel inadequate - it doesn’t need to be a big, sparkly stress.

No, because we don't have many options. Our family gets smaller every year